Fairchild Instrumentation Model 4000M Automatic Test System

Summary : This key piece of equipment was the granddaddy of most modern IC test systems and was the workhorse of the industry throughout the sixties and into the early seventies. A few could still be seen around in the 1980s.

This key piece of equipment was the granddaddy of most modern IC test systems and was the workhorse of the industry throughout the sixties and into the early seventies. A few could still be seen around in the 1980s.

It had no computer, instead relying upon a controller that would step through a limited instruction set before either coming to a stop and displaying the results, or if attached to a package handler or wafer prober, storing the results in a bin counter and continuing.

The unit consisted of two or three bays. This particular photo shows a three-bay unit with the bay on the left containing an optional Model 5800 dynamic test bay.

Just retired. I programmed the Fairchild 4000 tester in the 60's and 70's at Eliott Automation Microelectronics in Glenrothes, Scotland. Later became ME Microelectronics and GEC Semiconductors. I remember it had a 60 bit word and all bits had to be filled. Initial programming was by hand on a teletype keyboard and the program saved on a paper tape. Fan-fold paper tape would not run reliably through the teletype reader. We did not have an ac test capability on our machines but used the external boxes for loads etc. Some testers had a drum and some a disc for storage. We tested Fairchild 9930 series chips on these testers.